122 EXPEDITION TO THE 



with his tribe in one of the forts at Piqua; that the fort 

 had been erected by the Indians against the French, and 

 that his father had been killed during: one of the assaults 

 made upon it by the French. 



The chiefdom is hereditary among the Potawatomis. 

 If a chief should be destitute of male heirs, sons or ne- 

 phews, he assembles the warriors of his tribe, and ap- 

 points one of them as his successor. Should he die without 

 leaving any male heir, and without having adopted any, 

 then the warriors convene and appoint one of their num- 

 ber to succeed to the vacant dignity ; " for a nation cannol 

 exist" says Metea "without a leader." In their councils 

 no regular debate takes place. The first man who is 

 nominated as chief, generally unites all votes; it is evi- 

 dent that much must depend upon the influence of him who 

 nominates a candidate. It is, however, usual to ascertain 

 the wish of the people beforehand, and for this reason they 

 are always consulted. 



In like manner, if a man be desirous of leading a war- 

 party, he mentions it to others, secures their assistance, 

 and then publicly announces his intention in the vil- 

 lage, when such as please follow him. Previous to his 

 departure, he performs his religious ceremonies, and pre- 

 pares what is termed his " medicine" or spell, by which 

 he hopes to insure success. If the chief of the village be 

 opposed to the scheme, he undertakes to prevent it, by 

 influencing their superstitious fears. To this effect, he 

 counteracts, as they suppose, the spells prepared by the 

 warrior, by walking round him in a circle, and then re- 

 suming his place. This they so firmly Joelieve to vitiate 

 the medicine, that it immediately puts a stop to the expe- 

 dition. The power of the chief appears to rest exclusively 

 upon his personal influence. He can use no coercive mea- 

 sures to obtain what he wishes, or prevent what he dis- 



